WEDDING CHOICE Ц A BUFFET RECEPTION OR SIT-DOWN DINNER

Getting prepared for the weddingyou will definitely have to decide what type of
wedding reception you want. Should it be a formal reception followed
by a dinner at one big table, or you would rather prefer a number of
small ones. It has to be the official banquet with all
guests at one long table or many
small tables? Or you want to create an informal
laidback atmospherewhere your guests can
walk around and socialize? In this case you
would better opt for a buffet.

The approaches to organizing these two types of
wedding reception are different:

Sit-down dinner

Х A sit-down dinner features one long wedding
table or, in its modern interpretation, a number of small
round or square tables.

Х The specific feature of this event is that
each guest has a fixed place. The guests placing is planned in
advance and shown on the seating plan. Besides do not forget to put a
small place card with the guest name to indicate his seat. Your
guests will appreciate such consideration.

Х Meals for a sit-down dinner do not
necessarily comprise hot dishes, meat, fish, light meals,
salads, or plated meat, fish and
vegetables. Usually hot
meals and salads are served each person.

Х Decorating a sit-down dinner means to put
an accent on the wedding table. You have vast variety of decor
options: tablecloths, napkins and doilies, floral centerpieces and
smaller accessories as table numbers, place cards, favor boxes Ц
all these details are there to add to your style and ambiance.

Х Drinks served can be bottled or poured in
stylish crystal decanters. The guests treat themselves with the
drink, unless you engage the waitpersons to fill in the glasses to
emphasize the formal status of your reception, it is costly but
classy.

Х Make sure you found the appropriate venue
with a spacious hall to host your wedding reception. Remember that
alongside with the table tables, the wedding hall shall provide for a
dance floor.

Х The wedding host has a prime value for a
sit-down dinner, he keeps the festive mood of your guests. The
host should be flexible and tactful at the same time Ц keeping his
finger on the pulse of guests socializing, he should feel when not to
intervene a natural flow of the party. He keeps
an eye on the course of events Ц when it is time for dancing, when
it is time for toasting, when the waitpersons can change the meals
without disturbing guests.

Х A classic multi-tier wedding cake is the
most common option for a sit-down dinner, though classic does not
mean plain. Unique design wedding cake will
create a sensation among your guests and match the wedding table
decor.

Buffet

Х Buffet reception does
not require a table for all guests. The
inviteesare free to walk around
communicating with each other. The best
place to make a buffet reception is a garden, lawn or country-house.

Х Buffet meals shall include tartlets,
canapes, sandwiches, small portion dishes
that can be eaten in
two-three bites.

Х Drinks are served in glasses, placed so
that the guests can take them have to be poured in
glasses in advance.

Х Tables for food and drinks
should be high enough for guests
convenience, because it is very awkward to
bend over in order to take food.

Х The wedding hall or the lawn are the focus
for the decorators, not the tables.

Х The wedding host should not persist in
entertaining guests Ц since the main idea of the a buffet is
informal communication, he should rather
ensure the change of courses, filling the glasses etc.